Command management in a networked computing environment

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for identifying commands for virtual resource instances in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a set of commands for an instance of a virtual resource may be received in a computer memory medium or the like. The commands may then be analyzed and information pertaining to the commands may be stored in a computer storage device or the like. When a user/requester later wishes to identify a command to be utilized for another instance of the virtual resource, the requester can access the information and make a determination as to what commands are typically utilized for similar and/or previous instances of the virtual resource.

TECHNICAL FIELD

In general, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach forvirtual resource instance management. Specifically, embodiments of thepresent invention relate to an approach for identifying commands forvirtual resource instances in a networked computing environment (e.g., acloud computing environment).

BACKGROUND

The networked computing environment (e.g., cloud computing environment)is an enhancement to the predecessor grid environment, whereby multiplegrids and other computation resources may be further enhanced by one ormore additional abstraction layers (e.g., a cloud layer), thus makingdisparate devices appear to an end-consumer as a single pool of seamlessresources. These resources may include such things as physical orlogical computing engines, servers and devices, device memory, andstorage devices, among others.

In networked computing environments, customers may instantiate instancesof virtual images or other virtual resources. Challenges may exist,however, in identifying how and where to interact with a newlyinstantiated instance. Specifically, it may be difficult for auser/customer to select what commands to utilize with a particularinstance.

SUMMARY

In general, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach foridentifying commands for virtual resource instances in a networkedcomputing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment).Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a set of commands for an instanceof a virtual resource may be received in a computer memory medium or thelike. The commands may then be analyzed and information pertaining tothe commands may be stored in a computer storage device or the like.When a user/requester later wishes to identify a command to be utilizedfor another instance of the virtual resource, the requester can accessthe information and make a determination as to what commands aretypically utilized for similar and/or previous instances of the virtualresource.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a computer-implementedmethod for identifying commands for virtual resource instances in anetworked computing environment, comprising: receiving, in a computermemory medium, a set of commands for an instance of virtual resource inthe networked computing environment; analyzing the set of commands toidentify information pertaining to the set of commands, the informationidentifying at least one of the following: the set of commands, at leastone directory in which the set of commands were executed, a base imageassociated with the instance, a set of demographic information about aset of users executing the set of commands, a status of at least onesoftware program running on the instance, a set of tags associated withthe set of commands, or at least one geographic location where the setof commands were executed; storing the information in a computer storagedevice; receiving, from a requester, a request to access at least asubset of the information; retrieving the at least a subset of theinformation from the computer storage device; and providing the at leasta subset of the information to the requester.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a system foridentifying commands for virtual resource instances in a networkedcomputing environment, comprising: a memory medium comprisinginstructions; a bus coupled to the memory medium; and a processorcoupled to the bus that when executing the instructions causes thesystem to: receive, in a computer memory medium, a set of commands foran instance of virtual resource in the networked computing environment;analyze the set of commands to identify information pertaining to theset of commands, the information identifying at least one of thefollowing: the set of commands, at least one directory in which the setof commands were executed, a base image associated with the instance, aset of demographic information about a set of users executing the set ofcommands, a status of at least one software program running on theinstance, a set of tags associated with the set of commands, or at leastone geographic location where the set of commands were executed; storethe information in a computer storage device; receive, from a requester,a request to access at least a subset of the information; retrieve theat least a subset of the information from the computer storage device;and provide the at least a subset of the information to the requester.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer programproduct for identifying commands for virtual resource instances in anetworked computing environment, the computer program product comprisinga computer readable storage media, and program instructions stored onthe computer readable storage media, to: receive, in a computer memorymedium, a set of commands for an instance of virtual resource in thenetworked computing environment; analyze the set of commands to identifyinformation pertaining to the set of commands, the informationidentifying at least one of the following: the set of commands, at leastone directory in which the set of commands were executed, a base imageassociated with the instance, a set of demographic information about aset of users executing the set of commands, a status of at least onesoftware program running on the instance, a set of tags associated withthe set of commands, or at least one geographic location where the setof commands were executed; store the information in a computer storagedevice; receive, from a requester, a request to access at least a subsetof the information; retrieve the at least a subset of the informationfrom the computer storage device; and provide the at least a subset ofthe information to the requester.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for deployinga system for identifying commands for virtual resource instances in anetworked computing environment, comprising: providing a computerinfrastructure being operable to: receive, in a computer memory medium,a set of commands for an instance of virtual resource in the networkedcomputing environment; analyze the set of commands to identifyinformation pertaining to the set of commands, the informationidentifying at least one of the following: the set of commands, at leastone directory in which the set of commands were executed, a base imageassociated with the instance, a set of demographic information about aset of users executing the set of commands, a status of at least onesoftware program running on the instance, a set of tags associated withthe set of commands, or at least one geographic location where the setof commands were executed; store the information in a computer storagedevice; receive, from a requester, a request to access at least a subsetof the information; retrieve the at least a subset of the informationfrom the computer storage device; and provide the at least a subset ofthe information to the requester.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing node according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a system diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative user interface associated with aninstance of a virtual resource according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative display of suggested comments generatedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a method flow diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merelyschematic representations, not intended to portray specific parametersof the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typicalembodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered aslimiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numberingrepresents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments will now be described more fully herein withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are shown.This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of this disclosureto those skilled in the art. In the description, details of well-knownfeatures and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuringthe presented embodiments.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms “a”, “an”, etc., do notdenote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of atleast one of the referenced items. The term “set” is intended to mean aquantity of at least one. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising”, or “includes” and/or “including”, whenused in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for identifyingcommands for virtual resource instances in a networked computingenvironment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, in atypical embodiment, a set of commands for an instance of a virtualresource may be received in a computer memory medium or the like. Thecommands may then be analyzed and information pertaining to the commandsmay be stored in a computer storage device or the like. When auser/requester later wishes to identify a command to be utilized foranother instance of the virtual resource, the requester can access theinformation and make a determination as to what commands are typicallyutilized for similar and/or previous instances of the virtual resource.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description of cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded, automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active consumer accounts). Resource usage canbe monitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for boththe provider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). Theconsumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructureincluding network, servers, operating systems, storage, or evenindividual application capabilities, with the possible exception oflimited consumer-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication-hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a cloud computingnode is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitablecloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable ofbeing implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forthhereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10, there is a computer system/server 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. Thecomponents of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limitedto, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28,and a bus 18 that couples various system components including systemmemory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a computerreadable signal medium, which may include a propagated data signal withcomputer readable program code embodied therein (e.g., in baseband or aspart of a carrier wave). Such a propagated signal may take any of avariety of forms including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic,optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signalmedium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computerreadable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, ortransport a program for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium including, but not limited to, wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, radio-frequency (RF), etc., or anysuitable combination of the foregoing.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a consumer to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via I/O interfaces22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 can communicate with one ormore networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide areanetwork (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via networkadapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20 communicates with the othercomponents of computer system/server 12 via bus 18. It should beunderstood that although not shown, other hardware and/or softwarecomponents could be used in conjunction with computer system/server 12.Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers,redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems,tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as private, community,public, or hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms, and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 2) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 3 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include mainframes. In oneexample, IBM® zSeries® systems and RISC (Reduced Instruction SetComputer) architecture based servers. In one example, IBM pSeries®systems, IBM System x® servers, IBM BladeCenter® systems, storagedevices, networks, and networking components. Examples of softwarecomponents include network application server software. In one example,IBM WebSphere® application server software and database software. In oneexample, IBM DB2® database software. (IBM, zSeries, pSeries, System x,BladeCenter, WebSphere, and DB2 are trademarks of International BusinessMachines Corporation registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.)

Virtualization layer 62 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers;virtual storage; virtual networks, including virtual private networks;virtual applications and operating systems; and virtual clients.

In one example, management layer 64 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning provides dynamic procurement of computingresources and other resources that are utilized to perform tasks withinthe cloud computing environment. Metering and pricing provide costtracking as resources are utilized within the cloud computingenvironment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.Consumer portal provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management providescloud computing resource allocation and management such that requiredservice levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planning andfulfillment provides pre-arrangement for, and procurement of, cloudcomputing resources for which a future requirement is anticipated inaccordance with an SLA. Further shown in management layer is commandidentification, which represents the functionality that is providedunder the embodiments of the present invention.

Workloads layer 66 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation; software development and lifecycle management; virtualclassroom education delivery; data analytics processing; transactionprocessing; and consumer data storage and backup. As mentioned above,all of the foregoing examples described with respect to FIG. 3 areillustrative only, and the invention is not limited to these examples.

It is understood that all functions of the present invention asdescribed herein typically may be performed by the commandidentification functionality (of management layer 64, which can betangibly embodied as modules of program code 42 of program/utility 40(FIG. 1). However, this need not be the case. Rather, the functionalityrecited herein could be carried out/implemented and/or enabled by any ofthe layers 60-66 shown in FIG. 3.

It is reiterated that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather, theembodiments of the present invention are intended to be implemented withany type of networked computing environment now known or laterdeveloped.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a system diagram describing the functionalitydiscussed herein according to an embodiment of the present invention isshown. It is understood that the teachings recited herein may bepracticed within any type of networked computing environment 86 (e.g., acloud computing environment 50). A stand-alone computer system/server 12is shown in FIG. 4 for illustrative purposes only. In the event theteachings recited herein are practiced in a networked computingenvironment 86, each client need not have a command identificationengine (engine 70). Rather, engine 70 could be loaded on a server orserver-capable device that communicates (e.g., wirelessly) with theclients to provide device protection therefor. Regardless, as depicted,engine 70 is shown within computer system/server 12. In general, engine70 can be implemented as program/utility 40 on computer system 12 ofFIG. 1 and can enable the functions recited herein. As further shown,engine 70 (in one embodiment) comprises a rules and/or computationalengine that processes a set (at least one) of rules 78 and/or providescommand identification hereunder. It is further understood that commandidentification engine 70 may be incorporated within or work inconjunction with any type of system that receives, processes and/orexecutes commands with respect to virtual resources in a networkedcomputing environment. Such other system(s) have not been shown in FIG.4 for brevity purposes.

Along these lines, engine 70 may perform multiple functions similar to ageneral-purpose computer. Specifically, among other functions, engine 70may (among other things): receive, in a computer memory medium (e.g., 28of FIG. 1), a set of commands (e.g., from users 88A-N) for an instance74 of virtual resource 72 in the networked computing environment 86;analyze the set of commands to identify information 82A-N pertaining tothe set of commands, the information 82A-N identifying at least one ofthe following: the set of commands, at least one directory in which theset of commands were executed, a base image associated with the instance74, a set of demographic information about a set of users executing theset of commands, a status of at least one software program running onthe instance 74, a set of tags associated with the set of commands, orat least one geographic location where the set of commands wereexecuted; store the information 82A-N in a computer storage device 80;execute at least one of the set of commands against the instance 74;receive, from a requester 90, a request to access at least a subset ofthe information; retrieve the at least a subset 84 of the information82A-N from the computer storage device 80A-N; provide the at least asubset 84 of the information 82A-N to the requester 90; display the atleast a subset 84 of the information 82A-N in a user interfaceaccessible to the requester 90; display the at least the subset 84 ofthe information 82A-N within the virtual resource 72; and/or refine theat least a subset 82A-N of the information 84 based on at least one ofthe following: a location of the requester 90, a set of keywords, alevel of use of the set of commands, a time since the instance 74 wasprovisioned, a status of software running on the instance 74, apopularity of the set of commands, or a level of expertise of a set ofusers executing the set of commands; receive at least one command fromthe requester 90, the at least one command being identified based on theat least a subset 84 of the information 82A-N; and/or execute the atleast one command on another instance 76 of the virtual resource 72.

Illustrative Example

This section will describe an illustrative example of onemanner/scenario in which the embodiments of the present invention can becarried out. It is understood in advance that the teachings recitedherein are not intended to be limited to this particular scenario.

-   -   1. A cloud management provides (e.g., a company) implements        engine 70.    -   2. Individuals/companies using a cloud resource provided by the        cloud management provides can opt into transmitting command        information back to engine 70.        -   A. Preferences could be set such as:            -   1. Denied lists of commands not to share;            -   2. A threshold of uses before a command is shared (e.g.,                only share after I've used a command 15 times);            -   3. Directories from which the command was executed to                determine whether to share or not to share. (e.g., if                from/home/private, don't share); and/or            -   4. Keywords such that it is permissible to share                commands that include the word “start” or “shutdown.”    -   3. A user logs into the cloud resource and executes a command.    -   4. If enabled, the command is both executed against the cloud        resource and sent to the engine 70.    -   5. The engine 70 continually collects data such as:        -   A. Incoming commands;        -   B. The directory/path in which the command was executed;        -   C. The instance against which the command was executed;        -   D. Tags associated with the commands. (e.g., the user would            tag start-dfs.sh with “start Hadoop” so other users know            that the command starts Hadoop); and/or        -   E. The geographical location where the command was executed.    -   6. Optionally, highly simple commands (e.g., Is-al) may be        ignored by the system.    -   7. If another user wishes to view commands identified via crowd        sourcing they may do so at any time, e.g., those:        -   A. Displayed within a cloud management area associated with            each image; and/or        -   B. Displayed within the resource either:            -   1. From a pull mechanism;            -   2. As deployed as an artifact at instance creation time;            -   3. As a user begins to type a command; and/or            -   4. As a stand-alone asset associated with the resource.    -   8. Commands may be further refined based on:        -   A. Location of the user in comparison with location where            executed (e.g., view commands entered by other users located            in Dallas, Tex.);        -   B. Geographic location of the cloud user (e.g., other            individuals similar to you ran the following commands);        -   C. Popularity;        -   D. Keyword; and/or        -   E. Expertise level of users executing the command.            -   1. Expertise can be determined using, for example:                -   a. Social networking websites;                -   b. Intranet resources.

These concepts will be further illustrated in conjunction with FIGS.5-6. Assume in this example that user “A” is new to using Apache Hadoop®but desires to do some initial testing (Apache, Hadoop and realted termsare trademarks of the Apache Software Foundation, Inc. in the UnitedStates and/or other countries). Further assume that user “A” observcesCloud “X” and user “A” determines that he/she can quickly create aninstance of a Hadoop image, and that user “A” so based on thatobservation. FIG. 5 shows a user interface/graphic 100 associated withthe image/generate instance. As depicted, graphic 100 includes the imagename 102, as well as several other pieces of instance information 104A-Nsuch as: hostname, internet protocol address, image descriptor,platform, operating system, size, storage identifier, creation date,running time, and/or status.

As indicated above, since user “A” is unfamiliar with Apache Hadoop,he/she may not readily know what command(s) to execute against thosinstance. FIG. 6 depicts an interface/display 110 comprising the subsetof information that may be delivered to a requester by engine 70 asindicated above in conjunction with FIG. 4. As depicted, display 110 maycomprise the most frequently used commands 112A-N executed against abase image of Hadoop. This may be a good indicator to user “A” whatcommands he/she may want to consider. Along these lines, the commands112A-N could be sorted based on popularity among users with the samebase image as user “A's” image. In addition, hints such as where Hadoopis installed on the image can be implied by paths specified in thecommands.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a method flow diagram according to anembodiment of the present invention is shown. In step S1, a set ofcommands is received for an instance of virtual resource in thenetworked computing environment. In step S2, the set of commands isanalyzed to identify information pertaining to the set of commands, theinformation identifying at least one of the following: the set ofcommands, at least one directory in which the set of commands wereexecuted, a base image associated with the instance, a set ofdemographic information about a set of users executing the set ofcommands, a status of at least one software program running on theinstance, a set of tags associated with the set of commands, or at leastone geographic location where the set of commands were executed. In stepS3, the information is stored in a computer storage device. In step S4,a request is received from a requester to access at least a subset ofthe information. In step S5, the at least a subset of the information isretrieved from the computer storage device. In step S6, the at least asubset of the information is provided to the requester.

While shown and described herein as a command identification solution,it is understood that the invention further provides various alternativeembodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides acomputer-readable/useable medium that includes computer program code toenable a computer infrastructure to provide command identificationfunctionality as discussed herein. To this extent, thecomputer-readable/useable medium includes program code that implementseach of the various processes of the invention. It is understood thatthe terms computer-readable medium or computer-useable medium compriseone or more of any type of physical embodiment of the program code. Inparticular, the computer-readable/useable medium can comprise programcode embodied on one or more portable storage articles of manufacture(e.g., a compact disc, a magnetic disk, a tape, etc.), on one or moredata storage portions of a computing device, such as memory 28 (FIG. 1)and/or storage system 34 (FIG. 1) (e.g., a fixed disk, a read-onlymemory, a random access memory, a cache memory, etc.).

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method that performs theprocess of the invention on a subscription, advertising, and/or feebasis. That is, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, couldoffer to provide command identification functionality. In this case, theservice provider can create, maintain, support, etc., a computerinfrastructure, such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1) that performs theprocesses of the invention for one or more consumers. In return, theservice provider can receive payment from the consumer(s) under asubscription and/or fee agreement and/or the service provider canreceive payment from the sale of advertising content to one or morethird parties.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides acomputer-implemented method for command identification. In this case, acomputer infrastructure, such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1), can beprovided and one or more systems for performing the processes of theinvention can be obtained (e.g., created, purchased, used, modified,etc.) and deployed to the computer infrastructure. To this extent, thedeployment of a system can comprise one or more of: (1) installingprogram code on a computing device, such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1),from a computer-readable medium; (2) adding one or more computingdevices to the computer infrastructure; and (3) incorporating and/ormodifying one or more existing systems of the computer infrastructure toenable the computer infrastructure to perform the processes of theinvention.

As used herein, it is understood that the terms “program code” and“computer program code” are synonymous and mean any expression, in anylanguage, code, or notation, of a set of instructions intended to causea computing device having an information processing capability toperform a particular function either directly or after either or both ofthe following: (a) conversion to another language, code, or notation;and/or (b) reproduction in a different material form. To this extent,program code can be embodied as one or more of: an application/softwareprogram, component software/a library of functions, an operating system,a basic device system/driver for a particular computing device, and thelike.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode can be provided hereunder and can include at least one processorcommunicatively coupled, directly or indirectly, to memory elementsthrough a system bus. The memory elements can include, but are notlimited to, local memory employed during actual execution of the programcode, bulk storage, and cache memories that provide temporary storage ofat least some program code in order to reduce the number of times codemust be retrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input/outputand/or other external devices (including, but not limited to, keyboards,displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening device controllers.

Network adapters also may be coupled to the system to enable the dataprocessing system to become coupled to other data processing systems,remote printers, storage devices, and/or the like, through anycombination of intervening private or public networks. Illustrativenetwork adapters include, but are not limited to, modems, cable modems,and Ethernet cards.

The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations arepossible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to aperson skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for identifyingcommands for virtual resource instances in a networked computingenvironment, comprising: receiving, in a computer memory medium, a setof commands for an instance of virtual resource in the networkedcomputing environment; analyzing the set of commands to identifyinformation pertaining to the set of commands, the informationidentifying at least one of the following: the set of commands, at leastone directory in which the set of commands were executed, a base imageassociated with the instance, a set of demographic information about aset of users executing the set of commands, a status of at least onesoftware program running on the instance, a set of tags associated withthe set of commands, or at least one geographic location where the setof commands were executed; storing the information in a computer storagedevice; receiving, from a requester, a request to access at least asubset of the information; retrieving the at least a subset of theinformation from the computer storage device; and providing the at leasta subset of the information to the requester.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising executing atleast one of the set of commands against the instance.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving atleast one command from the requester, the at least one command beingidentified based on the at least a subset of the information.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, the providing comprisingdisplaying the at least a subset of the information in a user interfaceaccessible to the requester.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim1, the providing comprising displaying the at least a subset of theinformation within the virtual resource.
 6. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, further comprising refining the at least a subset ofthe information based on at least one of the following: a location ofthe requester, a set of keywords, a level of use of the set of commands,a time since the instance was provisioned, a status of software runningon the instance, a popularity of the set of commands, or a level ofexpertise of a set of users executing the set of commands.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, the networked computingenvironment comprising a cloud computing environment and the set ofcommands comprising a set of commands utilized within a cloud computingenvironment.
 8. A system for identifying commands for virtual resourceinstances in a networked computing environment, comprising: a memorymedium comprising instructions; a bus coupled to the memory medium; anda processor coupled to the bus that when executing the instructionscauses the system to: receive, in a computer memory medium, a set ofcommands for an instance of virtual resource in the networked computingenvironment; analyze the set of commands to identify informationpertaining to the set of commands, the information identifying at leastone of the following: the set of commands, at least one directory inwhich the set of commands were executed, a base image associated withthe instance, a set of demographic information about a set of usersexecuting the set of commands, a status of at least one software programrunning on the instance, a set of tags associated with the set ofcommands, or at least one geographic location where the set of commandswere executed; store the information in a computer storage device;receive, from a requester, a request to access at least a subset of theinformation; retrieve the at least a subset of the information from thecomputer storage device; and provide the at least a subset of theinformation to the requester.
 9. The system of claim 8, the memorymedium further comprising instructions for causing the system to executeat least one of the set of commands against the instance.
 10. The systemof claim 8, the memory medium further comprising instructions forcausing the system to receive at least one command from the requester,the at least one command being identified based on the at least a subsetof the information.
 11. The system of claim 8, the memory medium furthercomprising instructions for causing the system to display the at least asubset of the information in a user interface accessible to therequester.
 12. The system of claim 8, the memory medium furthercomprising instructions for causing the system to display the at least asubset of the information within the virtual resource.
 13. The system ofclaim 8, the memory medium further comprising instructions for causingthe system to refine the at least a subset of the information based onat least one of the following: a location of the requester, a set ofkeywords, a level of use of the set of commands, a time since theinstance was provisioned, a status of software running on the instance,a popularity of the set of commands, or a level of expertise of a set ofusers executing the set of commands.
 14. The system of claim 8, thenetworked computing environment comprising a cloud computing environmentand the set of commands comprising a set of commands utilized within acloud computing environment.
 15. A computer program product foridentifying commands for virtual resource instances in a networkedcomputing environment, the computer program product comprising acomputer readable storage media, and program instructions stored on thecomputer readable storage media, to: receive, in a computer memorymedium, a set of commands for an instance of virtual resource in thenetworked computing environment; analyze the set of commands to identifyinformation pertaining to the set of commands, the informationidentifying at least one of the following: the set of commands, at leastone directory in which the set of commands were executed, a base imageassociated with the instance, a set of demographic information about aset of users executing the set of commands, a status of at least onesoftware program running on the instance, a set of tags associated withthe set of commands, or at least one geographic location where the setof commands were executed; store the information in a computer storagedevice; receive, from a requester, a request to access at least a subsetof the information; retrieve the at least a subset of the informationfrom the computer storage device; and provide the at least a subset ofthe information to the requester.
 16. The computer program product ofclaim 15, the computer readable storage media further comprisinginstructions to execute at least one of the set of commands against theinstance.
 17. The computer program product of claim 15, the computerreadable storage media further comprising instructions to receive atleast one command from the requester, the at least one command beingidentified based on the at least a subset of the information.
 18. Thecomputer program product of claim 15, the memory medium furthercomprising instructions for causing the system to display the at least asubset of the information in a user interface accessible to therequester.
 19. The computer program product of claim 15, the computerreadable storage media further comprising instructions to display the atleast a subset of the information within the virtual resource.
 20. Thecomputer program product of claim 15, the computer readable storagemedia further comprising instructions to refine the at least a subset ofthe information based on at least one of the following: a location ofthe requester, a set of keywords, a level of use of the set of commands,a time since the instance was provisioned, a status of software runningon the instance, a popularity of the set of commands, or a level ofexpertise of a set of users executing the set of commands.
 21. Thecomputer program product of claim 15, the networked computingenvironment comprising a cloud computing environment and the set ofcommands comprising a set of commands utilized within a cloud computingenvironment.
 22. A method for deploying a system for identifyingcommands for virtual resource instances in a networked computingenvironment, comprising: providing a computer infrastructure beingoperable to: receive, in a computer memory medium, a set of commands foran instance of virtual resource in the networked computing environment;analyze the set of commands to identify information pertaining to theset of commands, the information identifying at least one of thefollowing: the set of commands, at least one directory in which the setof commands were executed, a base image associated with the instance, aset of demographic information about a set of users executing the set ofcommands, a status of at least one software program running on theinstance, a set of tags associated with the set of commands, or at leastone geographic location where the set of commands were executed; storethe information in a computer storage device; receive, from a requester,a request to access at least a subset of the information; retrieve theat least a subset of the information from the computer storage device;and provide the at least a subset of the information to the requester.